Lawmakers hear hours of testimony on bill to raise cigarette tax, expand levies to vapes and pouches

Summary

Representative Vicki Steiner’s House Bill 1570 would raise the cigarette excise tax and extend special taxation to e‑cigarettes, nicotine pouches and other alternative tobacco products; public‑health groups supported the change as youth prevention while retailers and business groups opposed it as a regressive tax.

The House Finance and Taxation Committee heard several hours of testimony on House Bill 1570, Representative Vicki Steiner’s proposal to increase North Dakota’s cigarette excise tax and to apply new excise rules to electronic nicotine delivery systems and other alternative tobacco products.

Steiner, R‑District 37, said the bill is primarily a public‑health measure aimed at deterring youth from starting nicotine use. “The point of the bill is not the money,” Steiner said. “Increasing the price of commercial tobacco products is one of the most effective ways to prevent children from starting a nicotine habit.”

The sponsor presented proposed tax changes and a revenue allocation: testimony records the sponsor listing a proposal that would raise the state cigarette excise tax well above the current 44¢ per pack and extend special taxes to newer products. In the hearing the sponsor cited different figures in separate remarks; later in testimony she explicitly…

Lawmakers hear hours of testimony on bill to raise cigarette tax, expand levies to vapes and pouches

Summary

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